Czech Army to Double Recruit Intake at Vyškov Training Center

The military academy in the Moravian town of Vyškov — the main gateway into the Czech Army for the vast majority of new recruits — is sharply expanding the capacity of its training courses. According to the training center's press office, as early as mid-September the base will take in 900 recruits instead of the usual 500, marking a record in the center's history.

Each year, the Training Command — Military Academy in Vyškov trains up to roughly 3,500 new professional soldiers and active reservists across six to seven intakes. The program is a six-week basic course that teaches future soldiers weapons handling, first aid for the wounded, and the fundamentals of tactics.

A steady stream of 850 recruits

According to training center spokesman Martin Kresta, starting next month the intake will be permanently set at 850 people per course — though the change still needs approval from the Ministry of Defence. If approved, the basic training course could accommodate nearly six thousand recruits a year. That figure represents the maximum possible capacity, not a guarantee that every intake will be filled to the brim.

"For the military academy, this is a major challenge on every front. Our task is to increase capacity without allowing any drop in the quality of training, for which we're accountable to the entire army," Kresta said. To cope with the surge of new recruits, Vyškov will bring in instructors from various military units.

Recruitment plan fulfilled at 133%

Kresta explained that the expansion of the basic course's capacity stems from two factors: the army needs to recruit as many new soldiers as possible, and interest among Czech men and women in military service is growing at the same time. "The army is an attractive employer for many people, partly thanks to social benefits, care for service members, and, of course, since the start of the year, a competitive salary," the center's spokesman said.

The previous government of Petr Fiala (ODS) raised military salaries twice, and the starting salary for a professional soldier now stands at nearly 50,000 crowns before tax. The 10–15% pay rise was meant to slow the outflow of personnel from the army and attract new recruits — and, judging by the numbers, the plan has worked.

According to Defence Minister Jaroslav Zuna (STAN), the army has fulfilled this year's recruitment plan at 133% and will take on 2,997 new service members by the end of the year. That said, this isn't a net gain: around a thousand people leave the armed forces each year.

The government is currently awaiting approval of a new Concept for Building the Czech Army until 2040 — the key document outlining what the armed forces will need in the coming years. The document has not yet been published, but former Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka has previously said that to fulfil all of NATO's requirements, the army will need nearly 40,000 service members. At present, the General Staff commands just under 30,000 men and women in uniform.

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Source: seznamzpravy.cz